Storms come and go all the time — spring and summer storms, winter storms — and they all have the potential to hit hard.
So can metaphorical storms like a slow start to the busy season, a jampacked schedule in the middle of summer and, of course, cramming in the last-minute jobs just before the summer ends.
Right now we’re in that midsummer, schedule-is-super-busy time period. It’s a time when you can barely sit to catch your breath because there is so much going on. Some companies suffered slow starts due to the coronavirus shutting down countries and economies across the globe. Hopefully those companies are bouncing back now and finding busy schedules as well.
Handling these storms when they come up can be just as important as anything else you are doing with your company.
MIDSUMMER RUSH
It’s easy to get stressed out during this time of the year. Your crews are stretched thin at multiple job sites; clients want the jobs done now, now, now; and the weather may not always be the most cooperative. Then you have to add in the delays that might come up with utility locates, needed materials or even equipment repairs.
There are ways you can relieve some of that stress. For starters, don’t take on more work than you are able to handle. Quality should always come before quantity. If you’re stretching out your crews too thin, they might not have enough help on some of those jobs and will cut corners. Know what your staff can handle and don’t overextend that.
For the client who wants things done in a hurry, have a copy of your schedule written down and present it to them with deadlines. That way they won’t question if you’re as far along as you should be. If you do start falling behind, you need to communicate with the client as soon as possible and keep them updated.
Finally, things like utility locates should be done well in advance of the work; don’t wait until the day before you start work to call in a locate request. To avoid many equipment breakdowns, keep up with general maintenance year-round; that alone will reduce a lot of stress.
YEAR-END PUSH
It won’t be long before you’re reaching the end of the year, pushing your crews to finish because the weather is going to start turning.
Hopefully you’ve created a schedule and are still on task, but we all know things happen. Like we mentioned above, communication is key. Keep the client informed of any changes to your schedule and things shouldn’t get ugly.
Remember to give your guys some rest; and then that end-of-the-year push won’t be as stressful for them either.
This is going to be the perfect time for you to start putting together invoices for those jobs that are about to wrap up so that when they do, you can hand over the bill immediately and avoid any delays in payment. While you’re at it, have your shop manager start preparing a plan for maintenance on equipment that’s been used all summer. The more you do now, the easier it’ll be for you next summer when things pick up again.
YOUR PLAN
Following these simple tips should help turn your hurricane or tornado of a busy season into more of a rain or little snowstorm.
I would like to hear how you plan for the midsummer rush and the year-end push at your company. Are there ways you help your crews make it through these busy times? Email me at editor@digdifferent.com or call me at 715-350-8436.
Enjoy this issue!
